John Lackey was 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA in five postseason games. / Mark L. Baer, USA TODAY Sports

by John Perrotto, Special to USA TODAY Sports

by John Perrotto, Special to USA TODAY Sports

BOSTON â?? Perhaps there was no better example of the Boston Red Sox's worst-to-first rise this season than John Lackey.

Thus, it fitting that Lackey would be the winning pitcher Wednesday night as the Red Sox clinched their third World Series title in 10 years with a 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park.

It marked an end of a resurgent season for the Red Sox, who finished last in the American League East in 2012 with a 69-93 record, and the end of a resurgent season for Lackey, who once looked like he might become one of the biggest free agent busts ever.

Lackey went 10-13 in the regular season, a lack of run support causing his record to belie a fine 3.52 ERA in 29 starts. He followed that by going 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA in five postseason games that included a one-inning scoreless relief appearance in Game 4 of the World Series on Sunday night.

The Red Sox signed Lackey to a five-year, $82.5-million contract as a free agent during the 2009-10 offseason and he went 14-11 with a 4.40 ERA in his first season in Boston.

However, the taciturn Texan fell to 12-12 with a 6.41 ERA in 2011, a year in which the end of his marriage wound up making tabloid fodder because his wife had breast cancer. Lackey then missed last season after undergoing Tommy John econstruction surgery on his pitching elbow.

However, the 35-year-old with a 138-107 lifetime came record in 12 seasons came back strong this season then stepped up in the postseason with a win in each of the Red Sox's three series victories.

While Lackey wasn't dominating Wednesday night, he was effective in limiting the Cardinals to one run in 6 2/3 innings. He scattered nine hits and a walk while striking out five.

"He was great," catcher David Ross said. "Every time he got in a jam, he made a big pitch. He really battled his butt off tonight."

It was the second time Lackey won a clinching game in the World Series, the other victory coming as a rookie in 2002. Pitching for the Anaheim Angels on three days' rest, Lackey held the San Francisco Giants to one run in five innings in Game 7.

While Wednesday night wasn't a Game 7 situation, it was close enough and, 11 years later, Lackey came through again.

Given his past struggles in Boston, the standing ovation upon his exit resonated with teammates.

"That was one of the biggest moments for me," said second baseman Dustin Pedroia. "After he came out of the game, he tipped his hat to the fans. That guy's been through a lot here. Just knowing him as just a guy and a teammate, he's the best. The things that he does, not only on the mound just in the clubhouse, he's unbelievable. Great feeling for him."